I've had repeated instances of spuds popping out of keycups on these flutes. Store stock flute just sitting in the case, popping out after I replaced a pad, etc - no one thing that's happening to these flutes to make the spuds pop - they just are. Just putting it out there - anyone else have similar experiences? Of course, the Preludes are very similar to flutes sold through big-box retail chains, so I'm not terribly surprised - the TR700's have a lot of valve problems, the saxes lose bumpers very quickly, all woodwind keys bend easily, etc.

I've ordered a few replacement parts and the answer is "it depends." Some parts came quickly (clarinet pivot screws) while others took a month or two to show up (trumpet bottom valve cap). This was awhile ago, so they not have been stocked up on parts yet, but there you have it. Our Conn-Selmer rep said that they're guaranteeing parts availability for 5 years, "even if we have to pull an instrument off the shelf and take a part off." I had 2 Prelude flutes next to each other today and they were different flutes, with differences in keywork, like arrangement of spring catches and adjustment screws in the RH stack - I don't know if the stack would be interchangeable from one to the other, but spring clipping/replacement would be necessary at least. I also don't know if there would be compatability problems on trumpets, clarinets, etc - maybe they can tell which part to use according to serial?
If you need a part, I'd try a Yamaha/Jupiter/Winston part if you've got one on hand and the customer doesn't mind a non-matching finger button on their $250 trumpet (or whatever). Of course, I'd recommend avoiding these things to begin with, but when your employer sells them despite your repeated... vocal disapproval, you have little choice.

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